Salary Comparison

Information Security Analyst Salary:
Boston, MA vs Chicago, IL

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Boston, MA
$166,252
/ year
+25%
difference
Chicago, IL
$132,783
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$166,252✓ higher
$132,783
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$107,514✓ higher
$85,870
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$257,079✓ higher
$205,325
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$111,053✓ higher
$90,854
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$118,751✓ higher
$115,463
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,514✓ higher
$85,870
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$257,079✓ higher
$205,325

What if you move from Boston to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$33,469
25% decrease
Take-home change
$20,199
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,288
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Boston, MA$166,252
P10: $107,514Median: $166,252P90: $257,079
Chicago, IL$132,783
P10: $85,870Median: $132,783P90: $205,325

More Information Security Analyst salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Information Security Analyst earn more in Boston or Chicago?

The median Information Security Analyst salary in Boston, MA is $166,252/yr compared to $132,783/yr in Chicago, IL. Boston pays 25% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Information Security Analyst salary worth more in Boston or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $118,751/yr in a median-cost city, vs $115,463/yr for Chicago. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Information Security Analyst in Boston vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a Information Security Analyst in Boston, MA takes home approximately $111,053/yr, vs $90,854/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.